“The snow is getting bad,” Russ said, turning back to look out the window.

“Is it?” Laura looked pretty and flustered and breathless. Her shoulder-length brown hair was slipping out of her ponytail, and she must have gotten hot because she’d taken off her sweater. She was wearing a fitted white shirt that gave him a clear view of her slim body, including the luscious curve of her breasts.

Russ dragged his eyes back up to her face, but that didn’t really help because she looked flushed and tousled, like she might have just gotten out of bed.

His bed.

He gulped, remembering how she’d looked that morning in her pajamas.

He really needed to stop thinking such things.

Laura would be mad as hell if she found out.

“Russ?”

He blinked, trying to refocus on their conversation. “What?”

“I asked if it was really bad out there.”

“Oh yeah. Take a look. It looks like the parking lot is mostly empty, so the customers have obviously cleared out. The roads must be pretty bad. You probably should have picked Tommy up early.”

“Shit.” Laura came over to stand beside him so she could look out the window too. “Well, I better go get him now before it gets any worse.”

“You want me to drive you?”

She turned her gaze up at him, her brown eyes big and deep. “I’m capable of driving in the snow, you know.”

“I know you are. It was just an offer.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll take the SUV.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Olivia and Penny have to go out in this too. And I’ve got to stop by Candy Cane Cottage to assess the damage to the bathroom.”

“Surely that can wait.”

“We’ve got someone else renting it this weekend. I need to assess it so Ed has time to fix it tomorrow morning.”

Russ shook his head. “That driveway to Candy Cane Cottage is steep. You’re never going to get up it in this snow. And if you get up, you won’t be able to get down.”

“I’ll be fine. I told you I’m taking the SUV.”

“You’re putting a lot of faith in the powers of an SUV.”

“Oh shut up.” Her words weren’t sharp. Her expression was almost fond. “I can’t believe this snow. Why couldn’t it wait a few more hours?”

“The weather isn’t prone to following your timeline.” His voice was dry because she was still standing very close. He could smell the fresh scent of her hair. He wanted to tangle his fingers in it. He wanted to trace the freckles on her face and neck with his tongue.

“I don’t know why it shouldn’t follow my timeline. My timeline is a good one.” Her voice lilted slightly, and she leaned against the wall as she gazed up at him.

Russ took a step closer to her so he could smell her again. “I’ll let the weather know it needs to improve its performance to fall in line with your schedule.”

She took a shaky little breath, and her eyes dropped, causing her thick lashes to spread out against her freckled skin in a way that enchanted him. He edged a little closer, bracing one hand on the wall beside her.

He had her trapped against the wall now, and he’d completely forgotten the track of their conversation. His breathing had quickened, and his body had tightened, and his mind was buzzing with attraction. Need.

Something a lot deeper.

She wasn’t pushing him away. She wasn’t trying to cut the tension. She looked breathless. Excited.

Like maybe she wanted him to kiss her.

He wanted to kiss her more than he’d ever wanted to kiss anyone in his forty-five years. He’d assumed that was something she’d never want, but maybe…

Maybe…

He leaned forward a little more. He could hear her quick intake of breath. Her eyes darted up to his face and then down again.

“Russ,” she said, raising a hand to put on his chest the way she had that morning in the kitchen.

“Yes?” His voice was way too husky, but there was nothing he could do about that. She was so close. Almost within reach at last.

Her fingers fisted in the fabric of his shirt. “Russ.”

“Yes.” This time it wasn’t a question. It was the pure articulation of his heart.

She licked her lips, and the small gesture made his groin harden. “Russ, please don’t.”

He’d been leaning forward even more, but at that he grew very still. “Don’t what?”

“You know what.” She took another breath—different this time—and looked up to meet his eyes again. “Please don’t.”

“Laura, I’m not going to do anything you don’t want, but I think maybe you do want—”

“I don’t—” She broke in, dropping her hand from his shirt. “Please don’t.”

Russ sighed and took a purposeful step back, feeling like he’d been hit by a truck.

Laura gave him another quick look and then grabbed her purse and started for the door.

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***BlueSeal’s Review of Stranded for Christmas***

Stranded for Christmas is the fourth book in Noelle Adam’s Holiday Acres series. Each book is connected through the characters but acts as a stand-alone novel. I have not read any of the others in the series and I was able to jump right in without any problems.

Lauren Holiday doesn’t take chances other than the one-night stand which lead to her son. She is a single mom who took over the administrative and financial aspects of the family business, a Christmas tree farm named Holiday Acres, after the death of her father. Upon taking over the business, Laura learned that her father cheated a neighbor out of his share of the business. In an effort to right the wrong, Laura make offered the neighbor’s sons a share in the business. That’s where Russ Matheson comes in. He is the only brother who didn’t hold a grudge and took Laura up on the business offer.

Laura has only had a few romantic relationships which have all ended badly. Her relationship history along with her father’s poor business practices have taught Laura one thing…men aren’t to be trusted. If men aren’t to be trusted, why does Laura have odd moments when she wants to touch Russ or to be touched by Russ? Why does her heart stop when he looks at her? It is a bad idea for them to have a relationship. There’s a significant age difference and they work together. Russ has never met a woman that captured his attention for very long. That was until he left his corporate job and began working at Holiday Acres. Laura is the best co-worker that Russ has ever had. She’s strong, courageous, fierce, and has a fragile heart that the wants to be his own. Will these two be able to deny their attraction after getting snowed in and stuck in a cabin together?

I have to tell you…I think that I fell for Russ and wanted to kick Laura in the butt for not realizing what a great guy his was. He cooked breakfast for her son and played video games with him. I mean, really? He’s a keeper! Open your eyes! This was a very sweet book and Noelle has created some very believable characters who are broken and need each other. My rating….a strong 4 out of 5 propellers!!

About Noelle Adams:

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she reads any book she can get her hands on and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Rafflecopter for Stranded for Christmas Review and Excerpt Tour Giveaway:

Noelle is offering one (1) lucky Grand Prize winner a paperback set of her Holiday Acres series containing Stranded on the Beach, Stranded in the Snow, Stranded in the Woods, and Stranded for Christmas! Two (2) Runner-ups will receive an eCopy of one book from Noelle’s backlist titles (winner’s choice). To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below: